A Guide to the Different Types of Hydrangea Trees

Hydrangeas are cherished for their beautiful blooms and relaxed growing habit. By pruning and training hydrangea shrubs into upright forms they can be transformed into graceful flowering trees that make stunning garden accents. There are several different species and cultivars of hydrangeas that can be grown in tree form each offering distinct flower shapes, colors, and growth characteristics. This article provides an overview of the most popular types of hydrangea trees.

Panicle Hydrangea Trees

Panicle hydrangea varieties produce large cone-shaped clusters of flowers on strong upright stems. They make excellent candidates for training into tree form. Some popular panicle hydrangea trees include:

• Limelight – Lime green blossoms turn pinkish-red in fall. Grows to 6-8 feet tall.

• Vanilla Strawberry – Blooms emerge white then transition to pink and finally to red. A compact variety reaching 4-5 feet.

• Quick Fire – Early summer white blooms transform into deep pink. Grows 6-8 feet tall.

• Fire Light – Fiery red flowers from summer through fall. Matures around 6 feet tall.

• Strawberry Sundae – Flowers change from white to pink to red. Grows 5-6 feet tall.

Panicle hydrangeas are among the easiest types to grow. They prefer full sun to partial shade and moist well-draining soil. Prune in late winter to shape.

Oakleaf Hydrangea Trees

Oakleaf hydrangea is treasured for its bold foliage and large flower clusters. It brings nice form and texture to landscapes. Popular oakleaf varieties for tree form include:

• Alice – Abundant white blooms in summer, Foliage turns red in fall Matures around 6-8 feet

• Snow Queen – Dense, white flower panicles. Red autumn foliage. Grows to about 6 feet.

• Little Honey – A dwarf variety growing 3-5 feet tall. Has pretty golden fall color.

• Gatsby Gal – A midsize oakleaf reaching 5 feet tall. Greenish blooms turn snow white.

Oakleaf hydrangea thrives in partial shade with moist, acidic soil. Prune after flowering.

Bigleaf Hydrangea Trees

The classic, old-fashioned mophead hydrangeas with their full, pillowy flower heads make delightful small trees. Popular bigleaf varieties include:

• Endless Summer – A remontant variety with mophead and lacecap flowers. Grows 3-4 feet tall.

• Nikko Blue – Prized for its large spherical blue blossoms. Matures around 4-6 feet.

• Penny Mac – Lacecap flowers with red veining bloom all summer. Grows to about 4 feet.

• Let’s Dance® Rhythmic Blue – Vivid blue mophead flowers. Grows 3-5 feet tall.

Bigleaf hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade with moist, well-draining soil. Avoid pruning in spring or fall.

Smooth Hydrangea Trees

Smooth hydrangea produces impressive rounded panicles of small fertile flowers surrounded by showy sterile bracts. It’s an excellent choice where bigleaf hydrangeas struggle. Popular smooth varieties include:

• Annabelle – The classic smooth hydrangea with immense 12-inch white blossoms. Grows 5-6 feet.

• Incrediball – An improved Annabelle with very strong stems to support the huge blooms.

• Invincibelle® Ruby – Dark pink flowers on a dwarf plant reaching just 3-4 feet.

Smooth hydrangeas thrive in full sun to partial shade. Prune in late winter or early spring.

Mountain Hydrangea Trees

Native to the southeastern United States, mountain hydrangeas offer great foliage interest along with abundant blooms. Good varieties for tree forms include:

• Blue Ridge – A compact lacecap type growing just 3-4 feet tall. White summer flowers.

• Alice – White, lacecap-style blooms on a larger form reaching 6-8 feet tall.

• Ruby Slippers – Bold red and white lacecap flowers. Grows 3-5 feet tall.

Mountain hydrangeas prefer partial shade and moist, well-draining acidic soil. Prune after flowering.

Climbing Hydrangea Trees

While not technically tree forms, climbing hydrangeas are vining plants sometimes grown as free-standing shrubs. They also make lovely espaliered specimens. Two popular varieties are:

• Zephyr – Lacy white lacecap-style flowers. Foliage turns burgundy-red in autumn.

• Blooms of Bressingham® Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris – Clusters of fragrant white flowers. Grows 30 to 80 feet long.

Provide climbing hydrangeas partial shade to full sun and moist, humus-rich soil. Avoid heavy pruning.

Growing Hydrangea Trees

• Plant in full sun to partial shade. Morning sun is ideal for most.

• Give them consistently moist, well-draining soil. Water during dry periods.

• Apply a slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support flowering.

• Prune panicle and smooth hydrangeas in late winter. Prune bigleaf varieties after flowering.

• Many are cold hardy to zone 3 or 4 when provided winter protection.

With so many graceful options, it’s easy to find just the right hydrangea tree to enhance your garden with gorgeous flowers held aloft. Explore the many types of hydrangea trees to find new varieties that will make perfect focal points and specimen plants. Let these elegant flowering trees elevate your landscape to new heights of beauty.